Solenoid control valve



Feb. 4, 1958 R. B. CLAY Erm.;-

' SOLENOID CONTROL VALVE Filed March 15, 19:54

2 sheets-sheet 1 FIG.I

AT OPNEYS Feb. 4, 1958 R. B.' CLAY ETAL SOLENOID CONTROL VALVE Filed March l5, 1954.

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BM 3 GL F United States Patent() SLEN 01Dv CONTROL VALVE Robert B.-`Cla'y and George'A. 'Goepfricln New Britain, Conn., assignorsto The Skinner ChuckCompany, New Britain, Conngacorporation of Connecticut Application March` l15, 1954, SeriaLNo'. 416,279

7 Claims. (Cl. IS7-'623) :The'present invention relatestofsolenoid-actuated iiuid ow control valves.

`A principal object of vthe invention vis'to provide a 'solenoid valve ffor f'co'ntrolling "uid Vflow whichl is extremelyfflexibleand adaptable for connection in a wide variety of ways, and hence hassuicient `versatility to`be "capable of universal applicationin :many dilerent flow control systems.

-Another object is .to provide a solenoid valve 'of .the character described which is particularly arranged 'for interchangeability and reversal of 'disposition of-certain ,parts therein,-therebyfurther enhancing'the llexibility Vof "the valve andi increasing its adaptability forconnection in -awide variety of Adiierent ways.

'Another-Objectis to provide a solenoid valvelhavingta Yplurality ofsolenoids and an plurality .ofv valvingmembers, yet so arranged-as to provide a rugged and durablefstrucf-ture ofexception-al compactness.

'Another object is-to"l` provide a -valve which is simple: to

hassemble-and disassemble, andhe'nce is'particularly suited to .assembly 'duringl` manufacture, .andi to disassembly for cleaning and the like, by relatively unskilled personnel. ()ther Iobjects will be in fpartfobvious, 'fandin vpart. -tpointed outi more indetailhereinafter.

The invention-accordingly consists-in the featuresof '.construction, combination of el`eme1`1ts-andl arrangement `-iofrparts whichwill beexemplied in the construction .-hereinafter. set -forth vand` the scope of the :application of which will be indicated" inl the appended claims.

In thedrawings:

Fig. lis afsectionalview ofsa'solenoidvvalve'assembly `constructeddn accordance with 'theA present invention;

Fig. 2 isa` sectionalviewiof a portion ofthesolenoid shown in Figure 1 takenon the -line '-2-2 thereof; and

f Fig.` 3. is a-perspectiveview-of the valve-assembly'of the present invention.

IReferringto the drawings, and particularly Fig. A'l

A'tliereof, asolenoidvalve constructed in accordancewith othepresent inventionincludes a' valvebody "2 which consists of a hollow casing 4 of somewhat attened cylindrical lfshape, preferably Ar'nacle of magnetic'material, and closed y-fatfits ltop and bottom ends by respectivetop and bottom leaps 16,18. The top and bottom caps are identical in chape, @and are yprovided with mounting holes 9 to recei-veboltsfor .mounting thevalve body.

@Within "the casing 4, disposed in side-by-sde 'spaced Arela'tion, aretwo electromagnetic coils 10, 12 of 'generally "cylindricalshape 'which develop electromagnetic fields oroperatingthe'valve assembly. Adjacent the inside surfaces ofthe topand bottom caps 6, 8 are disposed Atop ice `taining theimovableparts of the valve, whose positions are controlled by the coils 10, 12. The sleeve assembly associatedwith rcoil"10 includes a flange 28 Which'is rec'eived` Within a .recess -30 counterbored in the inner 'surfacelof the. bottom 'cap I8,1coaxial with coil 10. Within ilange28tissecured,:as.by welding, the lower'end xof .a

non-magnetic 'sleeve-member 32, At its upper'endthe 'sleeve member-32 is connected to a stop or plug 34, preferably of lmagneticmaterial. Stop 34 vin turn vextends f through a recess'35 counterboredinrtop capsymmetrical with recessf''in' bottom capS. The top endof :the

'stop 34is supported in a recess 36 further counterbored in the top cap 6. The top end ofstop 34 is provided with a fluid-tight seal tothe'top cap 6'by means of packing 38,

and a similar packingfltl is likewise provided to seal the connection between the'ange 28 and thebottom capS.

HWithin thesleeve'32 is supported a reciprocable armatureor vplunger`42-o`f magnetic material having longitudinal grooves or slots 43 in its outer surface which serve as a fluid connection between the top and bottom ofthe plunger. The lower end of plunger 42 extends into arecess `44 further axially counterboredin bottom cap`8 adjacent-recess 30. This end of plunger 42 has'an external flange 46 between which and the end of thef'sleeve 32 aspring f48` is `arranged to bias the plungerl 42 in a `downwardgdirection 'The plunger has a valve plug 50 'of Vresilient 4material inserted in its lower end, *which is adapted to seat against a valveeseat insert 52oppositely f disposed in a lfurther axial rec'ess`54 adjacent Arecess 44 in bottom cap 8.

AValve seat 52 is provided with a central aperture 56 `which connects at its|` lower end with a passage`-58 in bot- -tom cap 8, also `coaxial with coil 10. The stop =34-is axially boredtoutto `rovide a passage-f60 communicating with recess `:36 inthe` top cap 6. "Recess 36 in turn is connected by `a further axially counterbored recess ^`"61"to an axial passage 62 inthe top cap. Stop 34 is 'of'such alength that its-top `end is spaced-somewhat from recess 61, and thus avoids isolating recess 36 from recess 61.

Recesses 36 and 61and passage 62 are arranged'to'be symmetrical with recesses 44 and 54 'and passage 58 in .the bottom cap. At thelower 'end of passage 60 the stop 34 is provided with an upraised lip 64 against which is adapted toseat a valve Vplug66 of resilientlmaterial carried in'thetop `end of plunger 42. T he .usualcopper shading ring 68 is .provided in the bottom end ofstop 34 in valves .operating with alternating current to prevent chattering ofplunger L42 when the coil 10.is energized. Within the bottom Vcap S is a lateral throughbore 70 which intersectspassage '5S and is provided at each 'of its ends with counterbores forming connecting ports 72, 74 for the valve assembly. VAsinnilar lateral .throughbore 76, intersecting passage 62 and counterbored at its ends toformports, 86, isprovided in top cap 6. The severalports v72, 7f3, L78, 80 are'threaded, so that each 'may receive an external. connection, or be plugged up when the valve is connected in such a way .as not to require its use.

VOppositelthe outer ends of axial passages S8, '62 vthe top. and bottom caps are furtherbored out to receive adjustable. metering needle valves 82, 84, which are threaded for axialadjustment to meter the iiow between lateral passage '7tl2and axial passage '58, and between lateral passage -76and passage 62, respectively. vOptionally either orjboth .meteringvalves .may beelirninated and replaced with plugs, and as a' further v`option either orboth'of' the bores for receiving the needle valves may be omitted. Metering valves 82 and 84 are preferably made long enough to shut ot flow through passages 58 or 62y completely, if desired. A packing 86 is provided to seal the outer end of the metering valve 82 against leakage, and valve 82 is retained against accidental removal or bursting from bottom cap 6 by a capscrew 88, the head of which engages a flange 90 on metering valve 82. Valve 84 is similarly sealed and retained by packing ring 92 and capscrew 94.

The top cap 6 is also provided with a side outlet 100 communicating with recess 36 and counterbored at its outer end 102 to provide another connection for the valve assembly. The arrangement of this output 100 is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which illustrates in detail how side outlet 100 connects to recess 36 adjacent the top end of stop 34. The bottom cap is provided with a similar side outlet 104 which connects in a similar manner with the recess 44 adjacent valve seat 52.

The top and bottom caps 6. 8 of valve body 2 are similarly symmetrically bored out in axial alignment with coil 12 to form in top cap 6 recesses, 106. 108 and 110, and axial passage 112 connecting to lateral passage 76, and to form in bottom cap 8 corresponding symmetrical recesses 114, 116 and 118, and axial passage 120 connecting to lateral passage 70. ln these recesses are received a set of parts which are similar in all respects to those above described in connection with coil 10, and hence, for economy of description and to avoid repetition, will not be described in detail. These parts include a sleeve assembly comprising a ange 122, non-magnetic sleeve 124, stop 126, plunger 128, spring 130, and valve seat insert 132. To particularly illustrate the exibility of the valve, however, and to show the suitability of its construction to arrangement of its internal parts in diiferent ways, the parts associated with coil 12 are depicted in Fig. 1 in an inverted disposition relative to the like parts associated with coil 10.

The top and bottom caps are bored out opposite passages 112 and 120 to receive metering valves 134 and 136, which are identical with valves 82 and 84, and may likewise optionally be omitted or replaced with plugs.

A side outlet 140 communicates with recess 108 in top cap 6 in the same manner in which side outlet 100 connects to recess 36, and a similar side outlet 142 communicates with the recess 116 in bottom cap 6 adjacent the lower end of the bore 144 in stop 126 to complete the structure of the valve assembly.

In the operation of the valve with the coils deenergized, it will be apparent that in the normal condition of the valve, i. e. with the coils 10, 12 unenergized, the springs 48, 130 will keep the plungers 42, 128 in the positions shown in Fig. 1. In this position of plunger 42, it will be apparent that recess 44, and with it side outlet 104, is normally closed off from passage 58 and port 72. Recess 44 and side outlet 104 will, however, by reason of the spacing between plug 66 and lip 64, normally be connected with the bore in stop 34 and thence through recess 36, recess 61, and passage 62 to lateral passage 76 and ports 78 or 80. On the other hand, when the coil is energized, the plunger 42 will be lifted to unseat valve plug 50 from valve seat insert 52, which connects recess 44 and side outlet 104 to port 72 or port 74, and closes valve plug 66 against lip 64 to disconnect recess 44 and side outlet 104 from ports 78 or 80.

Thus that portion of the valve associated with coil 10 constitutes a bi-positional control valve by means of which recess 44 and side outlet 104 can be connected alternatively to ports 78 and 80 or to ports 72 and 74. In one exemplary use of this portion of the valve, ports 72 and 78 might be connected respectively to pressure and exhaust lines in a uid system, and side outlet 104 connected to a working cylinder, and thus the energization or de-energization of coil 10 would control the fluid pressure at outlet 104, and in turn at the working cylin- 4 der. With such an arrangement, of course, side outlet would not be in use, and would therefore be plugged up to preserve the uid tightness of the valve.

lf it should be desired to provide a normally open :connection from port 72 to one of the side outlets associated with coil 10, it is merely necessary to invert the disposition of the sleeve assembly associated with coil 10 trom that shown in Fig. l, which would place plunger 42 and valve seat 52 in the top cap adjacent port 78. Then port 72 would be normally connected through passage 58, the bore in stop 34, and the slots in plunger 42, to recess 36, recesses 54 and 44, and side outlet 100, so that outlet 100 would not be closed off from the pressure at port 72 until the coil 10 is energized. Likewise port 78 would normally be disconnected from outlet 100. With this arrangement, of course, side outlet 104 becomes inactive, and would be plugged.

Likewise when coil 12 is unenergized, recess 108 and side outlet are disconnected from port 80 and connected to port 74 through the bore in stop 126` and when the coil 12 is energized, recess 108 and side outlet 140 are connected to port 80 and disconnected from port 74. Side outlet 142 would be inactive and plugged. With a reversal of the disposition of the parts associated with coil 12, port 80 would normally be connected to side outlet 142` and port 74 normally disconnected from side outlet 142. Likewise side outlet 140 would be plugged.

Accordingly. it will be apparent that, by reason of the many diterent uid flow paths provided in the valve, the valve is particularly suited for connection in ow control systems in a wide variety of ways and the different valving actions obtainable as the coils 10 and 12 are energized or de-energized permit the valve to operate in an extremely versatile manner. Each coil and associated plunger can, of course, be operated independently, or, if desired, tluid can be directed from one side of the valve assembly to the other through the lateral passages 70, 76 or through interconnection of side outlets 100, 104 with side outlets 140 or 142.

Moreover, it will be apparent that, since the various recesses counterbored in the top cap are symmetrical with corresponding recesses in the bottom cap, the sleeve assembly including the plunger and valve seat associated with either coil can be inverted in the manner in which the parts associated with coil 12 are inverted relative to the parts associated with coil 10. Such a reversal in the disposition of a sleeve assembly and plunger will reverse its operation relative to the ports in the top and bottom cap, as previously described, and this feature thus provides further variations in the manner in which the valve may be connected into a fluid system.

Additionally, the metering valves are arranged in the valve body so that any or all may be eliminated as desired and the openings thus made in the top and bottom caps sealed with plugs. This further increases the flexibility and versatility of the valve, and increases its adaptability to a variety of installations. I

Thus the arrangement above described provides a solenoid-actuated uid control valve which is suiciently versatile to be capable of application in a wide variety of installations involving many different uid control problems. As a result of its exceptional iexibility, the valve is adapted for substantially universal application in various flow control situations, and from a manufacturing standpoint is thus suitable as a production item. Moreover, the arrangement of the symmetrical counterbores and the reversability of the sleeve and plunger associated with each solenoid coil, together with the arrangement of the top and bottom caps in closing arrangement with the top and bottom ends of the casing, permits the entire assembly to be readily assembled during manufacture, and readily disassembled for cleaning and repair, by comparatively unskilled personnel.

As many changes could be made in the above construetegen-1,99*?

, T tion and many rapparently widely vdifferent`em`bodintents fofthis invention could be made without departing from the; scope thereof,itis intended that all 'mattercontain'ed fin the above description'or shown in'the accompanying drawings shall I:be interpreted-as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Itis also to be'understood thattheflanguage usedinrthe Afollowing claims is intendedto coverfall of 'the generic Jand specific features oftheinventionfherein described and Aall statementsofthe scopeof the invention' which, as `a matter of language,'might be ysaid-to fall therebetween.

We claim:

1. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing, a Epair of solenoid coils lin said casing disposed in sidelbyside relation, a removable and'reversible sleeve'assembly `in each coil including a sleeve closedvatone lend by apole piece 'and a reciprocable armature received in the other -end of the-sleeve, the pole` piece and' armature eachbeing provided with a liuid ow passage extending therethrough and longitudinally of the sleeve, interchangeable top and bottom caps closing the end of the casing and having longitudinal uid ow passages adapted to connect with the f outer ends of the pole piece and armature uid passages,

vc`:"o``nne"c`:tion between the inner 'ends `of the armature'and pole piece fluid passages, the armatures being egnageable with the caps in response to de-energizing of the coils to prevent fluid ow connection between the outer ends of said armature passages and the associated longitudinal passages, each cap being provided with a laterai fluid flow passage connecting the longitudinal passages therein, external ports on said caps connected to said outer ends of said armature passages, and additional external ports on said caps connected to said longitudinal passages.

2. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing, a pair of solenoid coils in said casing disposed in side-byside relation, a reversible sleeve assembly in each coil including a bi-positional armature axially reciprocal responsive to energization thereof and a pole piece having a bore adapted to be closed by said armature in one position thereof, longitudinal slots in said armatures connecting opposite ends thereof, identical and interchangeable top and bottom caps closing the ends of said casing and having longitudinal passages adapted to connect with said pole piece bores and said armature slots, valve seats in the longitudinal passages connected to said armature slots and valves on sald armatures adapted to seat thereon to close oil= said longitudinal passages from said armature slots when said solenoid coils are deenergized, a lateral passage in each cap interconnecting the longitudinal passages therein, external connections for said longitudinal passages, and side outlets in said top and bottom caps permanently connected to said armature slots.

3. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing open at its ends, a pair of electromagnetic coils disposed in side-by-side relation in said casing, a reversible solenoid sleeve assembly for each coil including a longitudinally bored pole piece and a longitudinally slotted reciprocable plunger adapted to close the pole piece bore responsive to energizing of said coil, interchangeable top and bottom cap members closing the ends of said casing, identical recesses in said cap members for supporting said sleeve assemblies, whereby either sleeve assembly may be turned end-for-end to vary the operation of said valve assembly, said recesses connecting to the slots of adjacent plungers and bores of adjacent pole pieces, first identical passages in said cap members connected to said recesses, external ports for said first passages forming a first set of valve assembly connections, valves on said plungers adapted to close off said first passages adjacent thereto when said solenoids are de-energized, second identical passages in said cap members permanently kcon- 6 neetedv tosaid recesses, external ports for -saidsecond passages forming Aa second setfof connections fori-said -valve assembly, yand a lateral passage-ineach of saidl caps interconnecting the first passages-therein to :permit connection of said plunger valvesinseries.

44. vA solenoid valveassemblycomprisingfa casing open at its ends, a pair of'electromagneti'c coils disposed in side-by-side relation inV said casing, a solenoid assembly for each coil and including a pole ypiece having an axial fthroughbore'and a non-magnetic sleeve extending therefrom, =a plunger reciproeable'in 'said sleeve between a first `position spaced ytromlsaidl pole piece and' asecond position' closing said Iboreresponsive -to energizing of said coil, longitudinal ilow passages in said plunger connecting opposite ends thereof,anda` valve in the outer end of said plunger, a valvetseat for eachof fsaid plunger valves, -id'entical cap members -closing the opposite ends of said casing, recesses in said'rcap members .for supportingfsaid solenoid assemblies, each -of saidl'rece'sses comprising in axially raligned connected relation a rst portion adapted to receive one of fsaid valve seats, a :second portion adapted to receive the end of one of said pole pieces, and a third portion adapted -to` receive the outer end of one of said sleeves, whereby said :sleeve assemblies and valve seals may be inverted end for endto vary the operation of said valve, longitudinal vbores in each cap member connected to the recesses therein, an external connection for each of said longitudinal bores, and side outlets in said cap members connected to the second portions of said recesses and having ports at their outer ends forming additional connections for said valve.

5. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing open at its ends, a pair of electromagnetic coils disposed in side-by-side relation in said casing, a solenoid sleeve assembly disposed within each coil and including a pole piece having an axial throughbore and a non-magnetic sleeve extending therefrom, a plunger reciprocable in said sleeve between a tirst position spaced from said pole piece and a second position closing said bore responsive to energizing of said coil, longitudinal flow passages in said plunger connecting opposite ends thereof, and a valve in the outer end of said plunger, a valve seat for each of said plunger valves, top and bottom cap members closing the ends of said casing, recesses in said cap members for supporting said sleeve assemblies, each of said recesses comprising in axially aligned adjacent relation a first portion adapted to receive one of said valve seats, a second portion adapted to receive the outer end of one of said pole pieces, and a third portion adapted to receive the outer end of one of said sleeves, whereby said sleeve assemblies and valve seats may be inverted end for end to vary the operation of said valve, longitudinal bores in each cap member connected to the recesses therein, a lateral throughbore in each cap member intersecting said longitudinal bores, ports at the ends of said lateral throughbores forming connections for said valve, and side outlets in said cap members connected to said recesses and having ports at their outer ends forming additional connections for said valve.

6. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing open at its ends, a pair of electromagnetic coils disposed in side-by-side relation in said casing, a solenoid sleeve assembly disposed within each coil and including a pole piece having an axial throughbore and a non-magnetic sleeve extending therefrom, a plunger reciprocable in said sleeve responsive to energizing of said coil between a first position spaced from said pole piece and a second position closing said bore, longitudinal liow passages in said plunger connecting opposite ends thereof, and a valve in the outer end of said plunger, top and bottom cap members closing the ends of said casing, longitudinal bores in each cap member aligned with the axes of said coils. a lateral throughbore in each cap member intersecting said longitudinal bores, ports at the ends of said lateral throughbores forming connections for said valve,

vmetering valves in the outer ends of said 'longitudinal bores and longitudinally adjustable to vary theoriiice areas between said longitudinal bores and said lateral throughbores, valve seats for said plunger valves, recesses in said top and bottom cap members at the inner ends of said longitudinal bores adapted to receive and support opposite ends of said solenoid sleeve, assemblies and to receive and support said interchangeable valve seats, whereby each of said solenoid sleeve assemblies and its associated valve seat may be turned end for end as desired to vary the operation of said valve, and side outlets in said cap members connected to said recesses and having ports at their outer ends forming additional connections for said valve.

7. A duplex solenoid valve assembly comprising a casing open at its ends, a pair of electromagnetic coils disposed in side-by-side relation in said casing, flux plates for said coils laterally disposed at opposite ends thereof, a solenoid sleeve assembly axially disposed in each coil and including a pole piece having an axial throughbore. and a non-magnetic sleeve extending therefrom, a plunger reciprocable in said sleeve responsive to energizing of said coil between a rst position spaced from said pole piece and a second position closing said bore, longitudinal tlow passages in said plunger connecting opposite ends thereof, a spring biasing said plunger to said first position, and a valve in the outer end of said plunger, interchangeable identical top and bottom cap members closing the ends of said casing, longitudinal bores in each cap member aligned with the axes of said coils, a lateral throughbore in each cap member intersecting said longitudinal bores, ports at the ends of said lateral throughbores forming connections for said valve, metering valves in the outer ends of said longitudinal bores and longitudinally adjustable to vary the orifice areas between said longitudinal bores and said lateral throughbores, identical interchangeable valve seats for said plunger valves, identical recesses in said top and bottom cap members at the inner ends of said longitudinal bores adapted to receive and support opposite ends of said solenoid sleeve assemblies and to receive and support said interchangeable valve seats, whereby each solenoid sleeve assembly and valve seat may be turned end for end as desired to vary the operation of said valve assembly responsive to energizing of said solenoids, and side outlets in said cap members connected to said recesses and having ports at their outer ends forming additional connections for said valve assembly.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,200,824 Herman May 14, 1940 2,595,311 Strange May 6, 1952 2,607,368 Mayer Aug. 19, 1952 2,614,584 Goepfrich Oct. 2l, 1952 2,616,452 Clay et al. Nov. 4, 1952 2,686,535 Le Tourneau Aug. 17, 1954 

